Chelsea in talks to sign Martinez as Sanchez's errors force Aston Villa goalkeeper rethink

Chelsea are in talks to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after his representatives offered the club the chance to acquire the Argentina international, with the Blues weighing whether to replace Robert Sanchez before the transfer window closes.

The move has been accelerated by Sanchez’s performance in Chelsea’s 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham on Monday, where the Spaniard was badly at fault in allowing a tame Josh King shot to squeeze through him — a moment that reignited long-standing questions about his suitability as the club’s first choice.

Villa are actively looking to offload Martinez following the acquisition of Japan international Zion Suzuki, whom they consider their long-term number one. A deal to sell Martinez to Juventus collapsed earlier in August, and he was absent from the squad for Villa’s 4-0 opening-weekend defeat to Brighton.

Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal for £17m in 2020 and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s most recognisable keepers, winning the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. Villa’s willingness to sell is partly driven by a need to comply with UEFA and Premier League financial regulations, with Morgan Rogers already having departed for Chelsea in a £117m deal this summer, alongside the sales of Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne.

Sanchez’s inconsistency has been a recurring problem for successive Chelsea managers. Mauricio Pochettino dropped him in favour of Djordje Petrovic in 2024, while both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior also left him out at various points in response to poor form.

Chelsea had hoped 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders — who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg — could eventually challenge Sanchez for the starting role, but the prospect of signing an established Premier League keeper and experienced international presents a more immediate solution for a club with title ambitions.

Speaking after Monday’s match, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was blunt in his assessment: “Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal. Impossible. It can’t happen.” Gary Neville added: “The reality of it is, Chelsea do need a new goalkeeper and it’s one thing I’m surprised they haven’t dealt with this in the transfer window. That’s the last piece.”

Separately, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernandez is expected to feature against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, despite persistent speculation linking the Argentina international — whom Chelsea value at £120m — with a move to Manchester City. “Yes, we expect that he’s involved,” Alonso said at a press conference. “He’s training really well and he is a good pro.”